Rotary-engine.



PATENTED OCT. 10, 1905.

N. R. SMITH.

ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED 001R 11, 1904.

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No. 801,553. PATENTED OCT. 10, 1905.

N. E. SMITH. ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 11, 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITE STATES PATENT ()FFTCE.

NORMAN E. SMITH, OF SEATTLE, \VASHINGTON, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO DANIEL T. CROSS, OF PORT ANGELES, \VASHINGTON.

ROTARY ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 10, 1905.

Application filed October 11, 1904. Serial No. 228,046-

To ///7 1'71 (NIL it may concern:

Be it known that I, NORMAN R. SMITH, a citi- Zen of the United States of America, and a resident of the city of Seattle, in the county of King and State of WVashington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in R0- tary Engines, of which the followingis a specification.

Hy invention relates to improvements in rotary engines, and has for its objects to provide a simple and inexpensive motor of this class which shall be positive and powerful in action, economical of motive fluid,and readily reversible.

The above-mentioned and other desirable objects are attained by the constructions, combinations, and arrangement of parts as disclosed on the accompanying drawings, set forth in this specification, and pointed out in the appended claims.

'ith reference to the drawings filed herewith and bearing like reference characters for corresponding parts throughout, Figure 1 is a side view of the improved motor, shown with a portion of one head of the casing and portions of one of thefeed-pipes broken away. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the motor and shows the throttle-valve therefor in I transverse section on line 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the carrier and shows one pair of the oppositelydisposed swing-arms, one of which is shown in closed position on the carrier and the other removed therefrom. Fig. 4 is a view of one of the heads of the casing,looking at the inner side; and Fig. 5 is a transverse section of the motor, taken onlines 5 5 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, reference-numeral 1 indicates the casing of the engine, which is formed with a tubular portion having diametrically opposite internal abutments 2 equal in width to the internal face of the rim and preferably formed with concaved side walls diverging from the inner ends of the abutments to the inner surface of the tubular portion. Secured to this tubular portion are opposite heads 3, which are provided with hubs having corresponding bearing-apertures concentric with said portion and formed with their outer portions counter-bored to receive glands 3, which are adapted to rotatably receive the power-shaft at and are conveniently secured in position by suitable stud-bolts secured to said heads.

Fitting snugly but rotatably between the heads of easing 1 is a carrier 5, which is secured to shaft & and which consists of three circular disk-like sections considerablyless in diameter than the bore of said casing. Swingingly mounted on this carrier eccentric thereto and fitting snugly between the periphery thereof and the inner ends of abutments 2 are oppositely-disposed bowed or curved swingarms 6 and '7, preferably three of each, which fit upon the periphery of the carrier and are of substantially equal lengths, and these arms are formed with rectangular head portionsat the free extremities (marked 6 and 7, respectively) and which fit snugly but freely between the heads of easing 1. These head portions are each provided in the under surface with a transversely-disposed steam groove or channel 5, which extends from one side edge of the head to a point adjacent the opposite edge, and the grooves in the heads of one series of arms extend in an opposite direction to the grooves in the heads of the other series.

The swing-arms 6 are each formed with a single stem 8 of substantially the same width as the thickness of the center section of carrier 5, and secured to the end of this stem, lying opposite to the head portion 6', is an inwardly-projecting circular boss 8, disposed trans\-'ersely of the stem and rotatably embraced in part by the wall of a correspondingly-formed recess 9, provided in the periphery of said carrier-section to receive the boss, whereby said arm is free to swing outwardly and inwardly at the head end between the carrier and circular wall of the casing. The swing-arms 7 are each formed with opposite stems 10, substantially equal in width to the thickness of the outer carrier-sections, and secured to the ends of these stems, lying opposite to the head portion 7, are opposite inwardly-projecting circular bosses 10, which are disposed transversely of the stems and rotatably embraced in part by the walls of correspondingly-formed opposite recesses 11, provided in the periphery of said carriersections at suitable points for the stems of one of the arms 7 to embrace the stem of one of the arms 6, with the points of swing of said arms lying between the head portions thereof.

Reference characters 12 and 12 indicate pressure parts carried by the swing-arms 6 and 7, respectively, and adapted to be acted upon by the motive fluid to drive the carrier.

One of these pressure parts is attached to each swing-arm, and they consist of inwardly-projecting rectangular plates fitting snugly but freely between the heads of easing 1 and attached at one side edge to the under surfaces of the head portions of respective swing-arms adjacent the point of connection of said portions with their stems. These pressure-plates are furthermore bent or curved concentrically to the axis of their respective swing-arms, and they fit snugly but slidably in correspondingly-curved pockets or slits, as 14:, formed in the carrier at suitable points to receive said plates when the swing-arms are in closed positions.

Reference character 15 indicates suitable locking devices for securing either set of the swing-arms in closed positions. These devices consist of curved bars slidably fitting in corresponding grooves formed in the outer side surface of one of the outer side sections of carrier 5, between the pressure-plates of each pair of oppositely-disposed swing-arms, and these bars are adapted to be engaged at the ends in suitable notches 15, provided in said plates, and which are in alinement with said grooves when the arms are in closed positions, the bars being of suitable length to lie clear of one of said plates when engaged with the other. To conveniently provide for shifting these locking-bars, an aperture 16 is formed in the adjacent head of casing 1 at the path of movement of the bars with the carrier, anda recess is provided in each bar to receive the end of a suitable rod, which is inserted in said aperture and engaged with the bars in said recesses, the carrier being turned to present the bars to said aperture successively, whereby either set of arms can be locked by the bars as desired in reversing the engine.

Suitable opposite ports of egress, as 17, are

' formed in one of the heads of easing 1 intermediate the abutments 2 and well without the bounds of carrier 5, and these ports are connected with suitable pipe-sections 17, which lead to a main exhaust-opening 18".

Related to the swing-arms 7 are opposite ports of ingress 18, Which are formed in the head of easing 1, lying adjacent the open ends of the steam-grooves in the head portions of said arms. These ports are formed at the path said grooves take when the carrier rotates, and they are located at opposite sides of the abutments 2, so as to admit steam between said abutments and the back side surface of the pressure-plates on the swing-arms 7 as the free ends of said arms clear the abutments, and thereby insure the opening of said arms successively at each abutment by pressure of the steam admitted to drive the engine, as the steam will enter the steam-grooves as they pass said ports. Related to the swingarms 6 are opposite ports of ingress 19, which are formed in the head of easing 1, lying opposite to the head thereof, in which the ports 18 are formed, and are disposed at opposite sides of abutments 2 relatively to said last ports. These ports 19 are arranged in the same positions relatively to the steam-grooves in arms 6 as the ports 18 are arranged relativel y to the steam-grooves in arms 7, whereby the engine can be run in either direction as desired by closing the ports of ingress related to one set of swing-arms and opening the ports of ingress related to the other set.

The swing-arms are arranged about the carrier in pairs, each pair consisting of oppositely-disposed arms, and the head portions of the arms are formed of suitable length for the outer end edges of the head portions of one pair of arms to meet the corresponding edges of the adjacent head portions of the other pairs when the arms are in closed positions. These head portions are furthermore formed of suitable thickness to extend across the ingress-ports when the swing-arms are in closed positions, so that the head portions of the inactive set of arms will close the ingressports related to the active set of arms closely following the opening of last said arms, and thereby effect a quick cut-off of the steam and provide for expansive action of the steam admitted to the casing.

20 indicates a suitable three-Way throttlevalve, which is connected with a live-steam pipe 20 and with opposite feed-pipes 18 and 19', the former of which feed-pipes is connected with both of the ports of ingress 18 and the latter feed-pipe connected with both of the ports of ingress 19, whereby steam can be directed from pipe 20 to either'set of ingress-ports by setting the plug of said valve in the proper position.

In the present embodiment of my invention I provide means for closing the active swingarms before they reach the abutments 2, so as to avoid the friction which would attend the closing of the arms by allowing them to bear against said abutments as the carrier rotates. For this purpose I mount rollers 21 on suitable axle-pins secured to the opposite side edges of the pressure-plates adjacent their inner ends, and in the inner surface of each head of easing 1 is provided an inner groove 22 for said rollers, which conforms to the sweep of said rollers when the arms are in closed positions, and opposite outer segmental grooves 23, which occur between the abutments 2 and conform to the sweep of said rollers when the arms are in open positions. These outer grooves are connected with the inner grooves adjacent each of the abutments 2 by opposite obliquely-disposed channels formed with the outer side walls 24, conforming to the lines of sweep of rollers 21 as the swing-arms are opened and closed relatively to said abutments, and midway the said abutments the outer grooves are connected with the inner groove by suitable passage-Ways 25. Located in each of the passage-ways 25 is a reversible guideblock 26, which is adapted to guide the rollers on the active set of swing-arms from the outer to the inner grooves before said arms reach the abutments. These blocks are secured atone end to suitable stems 26, which are rotatably mounted in suitable apertures provided in the heads of easing 1 midway abutments 2, adjacent the outer side walls of grooves 23, and suitable notches are provided at opposite points in the side walls of passage 25 to receive the free end portions of the guides when they are swung to the required angles to insure the closing of the swing-arms. The stems 26' fit tightly, but rotatably, in their seats and are provided at their outer ends with suitable handles, by means of which they can be forcibly turned when setting the engine for reverse action.

The operation of the engine and manipulation of the reversing parts thereof will be readil y understood from the foregoing description, but briefly stated would be as follows: \Vhen desired to operate the engine in the direction indicated by the arrow marked on the carrier in Fig. 1, the guides 26 are set in the positions indicated in Figs. 4 and 5 and the lock-bars 15 engaged with the pressure-plates on swingarms 6. The throttle-valve is then opened to admit steam to the feed-pipe 18, and, if necessary, the power-shaft is then turned manually to bring groove 5 in the head portion of one of the swing-arms 7 into communication with one of the ports 18, when the said arm will be opened by the steam entering said groove and the engine started by pressure of the admitted steam against the pressure-plate carried by the arm. As the carrier moves the swing-arms 7 will be opened successively at each abutment as they clear the same by the live steam entering the steam-grooves 5, and they will be moved to closed positions as the pressure-plates thereon pass the egress-ports 17 by the rollers 21 on said arms bearing against the guide-blocks 26, while the rollers on the inactive set of arms 6 will travel in the inner grooves 22. \Vhen desired to operate the engine in the reverse direction, the throttle-valve is closed and the arms 7 then secured in closed positions by shifting the lock-bars 15, as heretofore intimated, and thereby release the arms 6 for action. The guide-blocks 26 are then reversed by turning the stem 26 and the throttle-valve opened to admit steam to feed-pipe 19.

This engine is comparatively simple and inexpensive of construction, has few parts likely to get out of order, and is capable of being readily set to operate in either direction. Furthermore, it is economical of steam and positive and powerful in action.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States of America, is

1. In a rotary engine, the combination with a casing having opposite internal abutments,

and provided with ports of egress intermediate said abutments and a port of ingress at one side of each abutment, and a carrier rotatably mounted in said casing concentric therewith, of a series of swing-arms swingingly mounted on said carrier eccentric thereto, pressure parts carried by said arms adjacent their free ends. and means whereby motive fluid admitted through said ingress-ports is directly applied to said arms to open the same.

2. In a rotary engine, the combination with a casing having opposite internal abutments, and provided with ports of egress intermediate said abutments and a port of ingress at one side of each abutment, and a carrier rotatably mounted in said casing, of a series of swing-arms disposed about said carrier and swingingly mounted thereon eccentric thereto, pressure parts carried by said arms, means whereby said arms are opened as they clear said abutments, and means to close said arms as they approach said abutments.

3. In a reversible rotary engine, the combination with a casing having a port of ingress and a port of egress, and a carrier rotatably mounted in said casing, of a plurality of pairs of oppositely-disposed swing-arms swingingly mounted on said carrier eccentric thereto for independent swing and each provided with a head portion at the free end, the opposite ends of one arm lying on opposite sides of the point of swing of the companion arm, and pressure parts carried by said portions of the swing-arms.

I. In a reversible rotary engine, the com bination with a casing having opposite internal abutments, and provided with ports of egress intermediate said abutments and a port of ingress at each side of each of the abutments, and a disk-like carrier rotatably mounted in said casing, of a plurality of oppositelydisposed swing-arms arranged at the periphery of said carrier and swingingly mounted thereon eccentric thereto for independent swing, each of said arms being provided with a head portion at the free end lying beyond the point of swing of its companion arm, inwardly-projecting pressure parts carried by said portions of the swing-arms and each con sisting of a curved plate arranged concentric with the axis of the respective arm, said carrier having pockets conforming to said plates and adapted to receive the same, and means to secure the arms of either series in closed position;

5. In a reversible rotary engine, the combination with a casing having opposite internal abutments, and provided with ports of egress intermediate said abutments and a port of ingress at each side of each of the abutments, the ingress-ports at each abutment being located in opposite heads of said casing, and a disk-like carrier rotatably mounted in said casing, of a plurality of pairs of oppositely-disposed swing-arms arranged about the periphery of said carrier and swingingly mounted thereon eccentric thereto for independent swing, each of said arms being provided with a head portion lying beyond the point of swing of its companion arm, and said portions having groovesin the under surfaces, the said grooves in one set of arms being adapted to comm unicate with the ingress-ports at one side of said casing, and the grooves in the other set of arms being adapted to communicate with the ingress-ports at the opposite side, inwardly-projecting pressure parts carried by said portions of the swing-arms,

said carrier having pockets to receive said parts, and means to secure either series of arms in closed positions.

6. In a reversible rotary engine, the combination with a casing having opposite internal abutments, and provided with suitable ports of egress and ingress and a carrier rotatably mounted in said casing, of a plurality of pairs of oppositely-disposed swing-arms arranged about the periphery of said carrier and swingingly mounted thereon eccentric thereto for independent swing, each of said arms being provided with a head portion lying beyond the point of swing of its companion arm, one arm of each of said pairs being formed with opposite stems attached to its head portion, and the other arm of each pair being formed with a stem attached to its head portion and fitting freely between said opposite stems, pressure parts carried by the head portions of said arms, and means to secure either series of arms in closed positions.

7. A reversible rotary engine comprising in its construction a casing, a carrier rotatably mounted therein, a pair of oppositely-disposed swing-arms swingingly mounted on said carrier eccentric thereto and each provided with a head portion lying beyond the point of swing of the other arm, and means to secure either of said arms in closed position.

8. A reversible rotary engine comprising a casing, a carrier rotatable therein, and a pair of oppositely-disposed swing-arms mounted on said carrier eccentric thereto and each provided with a head portion, said swing-arms projecting one through the other.

9. A reversible rotary engine comprising a casing, a carrier rotatable therein, a pair of oppositely-disposed swing-arms mounted on said carrier eccentric thereto and each provided With a head portion, inwardly-projecting pressure parts carried by said portions, and means on the carrier for engagement with said pressure parts for securing said arms in closed position.

10. A rotary engine comprising a casing having its heads formed With inner and outer grooves connected by passage-Ways, a rotatable carrier in said casing, a swing-arm on said carrier, said swing-arm being formed with a head portion, a curved plate secured to said arm and projecting into the carrier, rollers mounted on said plate and being movable in the grooves of the heads of the casing, and reversible guide-blocks mounted in said passage-Ways adapted to guide said rollers from one of said grooves to the other.

Signed at Seattle, Washington, this 23d day of September, 1904.

NORMAN B. SMITH.

Witnesses:

ERNEST B. HERALD, DANIEL T. CROSS. 

